Welcome back: 49ers re-sign Masifilo, release Beeler

Two days after releasing defensive tackle Matthew Masifilo, the 49ers re-signed the Stanford product today and cut his former college teammate, center Chase Beeler, to make room on the 75-man roster.

The move was likely inspired by a leg injury suffered by defensive tackle Demarcus Dobbs, who is on crutches. With Dobbs sidelined, the 49ers were down to seven available linemen for Thursday’s preseason finale against the Chargers. They are presumably reluctant to give starters Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga and Ray McDonald many snaps with the season opener less than two weeks away.

Without Beeler, Daniel Kilgore is the only backup center on the roster behind Jonathan Goodwin. The 49ers released sixth-round pick Jason Slowey on Monday.

Masifilo’s reaction to the news: “Glad to be back with the @49ers The last two days were miserable,” he wrote on Twitter.

Masifilo, of course, will likely be released for the second time in five days Friday when the 49ers cut 22 players.